Air pump having an adjustable interval between an electromagnetic device and an air chamber

ABSTRACT

An air pump having an adjustable interval between an electromagnetic device and an air chamber includes at least a upper cap, a base, an electromagnetic device, an air chamber and a regulator. The regulator has a rotary knob to drive a bolt and move a coupling member up and down. The coupling member has struts at two sides to force a guiding slot of a coupling seat to move thereby to drive the electromagnetic device to move forwards and rearwards for adjustment. As a result the moving frequency of the crank in the air chamber can be altered to adjust the air supply amount being delivered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air pump that has an adjustable interval between an electromagnetic device and an air chamber and particularly to an air pump for aquariums to regulate air supply.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional air pump 9 for aquariums mainly has an electromagnetic device 91 operating in an intermittent fashion to attract a magnet 922 on a crank 921 in an air chamber 92 to drive a rubber cap 923 to perform compression and extension alternately. By means of such alternate motions of compression and expansion air can be delivered through an air duct 93. While the conventional air pump mentioned above can supply air to an aquarium, the air supply amount is constant and cannot be changed to suit aquariums of different sizes. There are still rooms for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforesaid problems, the present invention aims to provide an air pump that can adjust the interval between an electromagnetic device and an air chamber. It includes at least a upper cap, a base, an electromagnetic device, an air chamber and a regulator. The regulator has a rotary knob to drive a bolt and move a coupling member up and down. The coupling member has struts at two sides to force a guiding slot of a coupling seat to move thereby to drive the electromagnetic device to move forwards and rearwards to adjust the position thereof. As a result the moving frequency of the crank in the air chamber can be altered to adjust the air supply amount being delivered.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional air pump.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a upper cap of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the invention in an operating condition.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the invention in another operating condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the invention includes at least a upper cap 1, a base 2, an electromagnetic device 3, an air chamber 4 and a regulator 5.

The upper cap 1 has a shell 10 with an opening 11 formed thereon and a plurality of fastening struts 13 located inside and a closed upper inner wall 12 to form a housing space 14.

The base 2 has a seat 20 with a closed lower inner wall 21 mating and coupling with the upper inner wall 12 of the upper cap 1. The closed lower inner wall 21 has a first housing chamber 22, at least one aperture 221, a second housing chamber 23 and a third housing chamber 24 adjacent to an outer side of the second housing chamber 23. The third housing chamber 24 has another aperture 241 formed thereon. Outside the periphery of the closed lower inner wall 21 there are a plurality of coupling struts 25 mating and coupling with the fastening struts 13 of the upper cap 1. The seat 20 of the base 2 has an air chamber 26 at the bottom (referring to FIG. 5) covered by a base board 27.

The electromagnetic device 3 can generate magnetism when energized by electricity. It is held in the second housing chamber 23, and has a positioning hole 32 at one lateral side 31.

The air chamber 4 has a dock 40 with at least one crank 41 located thereon. The crank 41 has one end fastened to a magnet 411 and a fastening end 412 at another end to be fastened to an axle seat 413. The crank 41 has a middle portion coupling with a rubber cap 414 which is coupled on an outer side of the dock 40. The air chamber 4 is held in the first housing chamber 22.

The regulator 5 is held in the third housing chamber 24 and includes a bolt 51, a coupling member 52, a coupling seat 53 and a rotary knob 54. The bolt 51 has a upper section 511 to be coupled with an axle hole 541 of the rotary knob 54, a middle section 512 with an external screw thread formed thereon to be screwed with an internal screw thread 521 formed in the coupling member 52, and a lower section 513 held in the another aperture 241 of the third housing chamber 24. The coupling member 52 has struts 522 at two sides to be inserted in a guiding slot 532 of two bracing arms 531 of the coupling seat 53. The coupling seat 53 further has a trough 533 and two fastening arms 534 at a front side. Each of the fastening arms 534 has a through hole 535. The trough 533 clips the lateral side 31 of the electromagnetic device 3. A pin 536 is inserted into the through hole 535 and the positioning hole 32 of the lateral side 31 to couple the electromagnetic device 3 with the coupling seat 53.

By means of the construction set forth above, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when there is a desire to adjust the air output amount, turn the rotary knob 54 to drive the coupling member 52 at the middle section 512 of the bolt 51 to rotate helically; the coupling member 52 rotates in the direction of the bolt 51 and moves up or down, and the struts 522 also are moved up and down to force the guiding slot 532 to move forwards and rearwards against the coupling seat 53. Hence the operation distance A between the electromagnetic device 3 and the magnet 411 on the crank 41 can be altered to change the frequency of magnetic attraction of the electromagnetic device 3 to adjust the air supply amount. 

1. An air pump having an adjustable interval between an electromagnetic device and an air chamber, comprising at least a upper cap, a base, an electromagnetic device, an air chamber and a regulator; wherein: the upper cap has an opening and a housing space inside; the base mates and is coupled with the upper cap; the electromagnetic device generates magnetism when energized by electricity; the air chamber is held in a dock which has at least one crank, the crank having a magnet at one end and a fastening end at another end to be fastened to an axle seat, the crank having a middle section coupling with a rubber cap which is coupled on an outer side of the dock; and the regulator includes a bolt, a coupling member, a coupling seat and a rotary knob; the bolt having a upper section coupling with an axle hole formed on the rotary knob, a middle section having an external screw thread formed thereon to be screwed with an internal screw thread formed in the coupling member, the coupling member having two struts at two sides that are held in a guiding slot of two bracing arms of the coupling seat, the coupling seat having a front side coupling with a lateral side of the electromagnetic device.
 2. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the base has a first housing chamber to hold the air chamber.
 3. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the base has a second housing chamber to hold the electromagnetic device.
 4. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the base has a third housing chamber to hold the regulator.
 5. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic device has a positioning hole at the lateral side to receive a pin to couple with the coupling seat. 